College News

Merritt promoted to CCCC Dean of Student Learning

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SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College has named Dr. Brian Merritt as its dean of Student Learning. He previously served as the college's director of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Alumni Relations.

As dean, Merritt will oversee the Developmental Studies Department, college recruiters, and the Academic Assistance Center. He will also oversee the College Success Center, the college's Title III grant project, as well as the college's new TRIO grant programs, Upward Bound Math and Science and Veterans Upward Bound.

"The reason I went into higher education was because I enjoy working with students and helping them succeed," Merritt said. "This position is a combination of everything I've done before: academic advising, orientation, developmental skills, etc. It's a really good fit. I'm excited."

Merritt is also currently the president of the North Carolina College Personnel Association. Before coming to CCCC as grants director, he was associate director of orientation and first-year experience at N.C. Central University. Prior to that, he had been at CCCC as a distance education counselor.

He received his Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Walden University in 2012. His dissertation was, "The Impact of Pre/Post-enrollment Intervention on College Success for First-Generation Black Students."

Merritt received his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University in 2006. He spent some time in England comparing the higher education system in the United Kingdom to that in the United States. He earned his bachelor's degree from ASU in 2004.

"I'm grateful and honored for this new opportunity at CCCC," Merritt said. "I grew up in Chatham County, and I feel right at home at the college. I look forward to working with the great faculty and staff in the Division of Student Learning and college-wide to help take a more data-driven, data-informed, and holistic approach to supporting student success."

Merritt and his wife, Jessi, currently reside in Durham, but will be relocating back to his home county of Chatham.

For information about what Student Learning offers, contact Merritt at 919-718-7426 or by email at bmerritt@cccc.edu.